In China, the number of counties under the absolute poverty line has been reduced to zero. Over the past seven years, an average of 10 million people per year have been lifted out of poverty in the country. According to the World Bank, the Belt and Road Initiative is also expected to rescue 7.6 million people from extreme poverty and 32 million people from moderate poverty worldwide.

Last Monday, with the removal of 9 more counties in Guizhou city in the southwest of China from the poverty list, a significant step was taken towards eliminating absolute poverty in the world’s most populous country. Thus, the number of counties under the absolute poverty line in China has been zeroed.

Since last week, authorities in autonomous regions where the last impoverished counties were located have successively announced that the settlements have been cleared of absolute poverty following comprehensive inspections. These include the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province, Sichuan Province, and Gansu Province.

In the last seven years, an average of 10 million people per year have been lifted out of poverty in China.

The population living in absolute poverty decreased from 98.99 million at the end of 2012 to 5.51 million at the end of 2019. During the same period, the number of poor counties dropped from 832 to 52.

CHINA’S ABSOLUTE POVERTY STANDARD

Some critics argue that China’s absolute poverty line is different from the World Bank’s. The World Bank defines those with an income below $57 (or $1.9 per day) as absolutely poor. However, this dollar-indexed definition falls short of providing a fair comparison. Experts generally recommend using Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), which compares currencies through a basket of goods to achieve equality. China’s poverty line is not a fixed number but is adjusted annually to reflect inflationary pressures faced by the rural population, using 2010 as the base year.

China’s poverty line calculation, based on 2011 as the base point, is 2,536 yuan per person per year or 6.95 yuan per day. According to the 2011 PPP, one US dollar was equivalent to 3.04 yuan, meaning China’s rural poverty line actually corresponds to about $2.30 in daily income, which is roughly 20% higher than the global standard of $1.90.

PRESIDENT XI’S GREAT ACHIEVEMENT

Since President Xi took office in 2012, significant achievements have been made in combating poverty. A new era targeting poverty reduction was initiated following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) at the end of 2012.

As clearly seen in Table 1 above, China has lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty over the last 8 years. This means the fulfillment of the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Program’s poverty eradication goals 10 years in advance. Under President Xi and the CPC leadership, China is steadily approaching its goal of eliminating absolute poverty and building a moderately prosperous society.

Especially in the last 40 years, China, having lifted over 800 million people out of poverty, has created a miracle in human history and has become the country that has made the greatest contribution to the international fight against poverty.

Yu Shaoxiang, an expert on poverty reduction at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, attributed the completion of the poverty reduction campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic to the central government’s intensive attention and strong distribution of resources. Yu emphasized the effort of the entire nation under the leadership of the CPC, highlighting the CPC leadership and the hard work of the working people.

The success in reducing poverty also represents the practical achievements of China in protecting and enhancing human rights, providing housing and employment, among the most fundamental duties of the state.

At a time when the COVID-19 pandemic continues and people in many countries are becoming impoverished and losing their jobs day by day, the exciting news from China inspires the world to join hands to defeat the virus, eradicate poverty in all its forms, and enhance peace and prosperity for humanity.

CONTRIBUTION TO POVERTY ERADICATION BEYOND CHINA

China does not pursue poverty eradication as a “zero-sum game.” China also makes significant contributions to fighting poverty outside its borders. For example, it has helped build 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, creating employment opportunities for more than 500,000 people. According to data from the World Bank, the Belt and Road Initiative is expected to lift 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty.